1999 Barangay Ginebra Kings season

The 1999 Barangay Ginebra Kings season was the 21st season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-season transactions

New Era

In December of last year, Senator Robert Jaworski, Sr. announced his resignation with the Ginebra ballclub during a press conference, bidding goodbye to the team and the sport that has been part of his illustrious career and made him a certified icon for the past 15 years. As the PBA enters its 25th season, a New Era has come for the never-say-die team now known as Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Summary

All-Filipino Cup: Barangay Ginebra Kings lost their first four games of the season but wrapped up the first round of eliminations by scoring three straight victories against San Miguel, 88-73 on March 2 in Legaspi City, Sta.Lucia, 79-74 on March 5,^[1] and Alaska, 97-87 on March 12.^[2] Barangay Ginebra and Sta.Lucia were tied at the bottom of the standings with six wins and ten losses, the Kings defeated the Realtors, 77-74 on May 5, in their playoff game for the 8th and last entry to the quarterfinals, a week later on May 12, the Barangay Ginebra Kings, which forces a do-or-die game with a win over top-seeded Mobiline Phone Pals, repeated and pulled an 82-81 upset win over the heavily-favored Mobiline with guard Bal David converting a buzzer-beating shot with three seconds to go. Barangay Ginebra advances in the best-of-five semifinal series against Shell but were swept in three games. The Kings placed third in their best finish since they won a title back in 1997.

Commissioner's Cup: Import Chris King return in his third season with Barangay Ginebra. On July 10, a blockbuster trade took place when forward Noli Locsin was shipped by Ginebra to Pop Cola for Vergel Meneses.^[3] The Kings finish with a 3-win, 5-loss card in the eliminations and lost to the Sta.Lucia Realtors in the quarterfinal round.

Governors Cup: Allan Caidic, who was assigned as player-assistant coach for Ginebra at the start of the season, began his role as playing-coach for the team, replacing coach Rino Salazar. The Kings has yet to score a victory in five games when they decided to replace import Mario Donaldson in favor of Monty Lamont Wilson.^[4] On November 7, Barangay Ginebra defeated Pop Cola, 80-76, in a battle of winless teams to end a seven-game slump and give Allan Caidic his first win as a playing-coach. Seeded last in the quarterfinals, the Kings were eliminated by Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, 74-80 on November 14.

Roster

Pos. No. Player School G 1 Bal David University of Santo Tomas F 2 Vergel Meneses (A) Jose Rizal University G 3 Elmer Lago De La Salle G 4 Merwin Castelo San Beda College F 8 Allan Caidic University of the East C 13 Marlou Aquino Adamson University G 15 Edward Naron University of Visayas F 16 Benny Cheng Mapua Tech F 18 Wilmer Ong University of Saint La Salle F 19 Danilo Aying South Western University F 33 Teodoro Valera University of Santo Tomas C 34 Jolly Escobar University of the East F 44 Chris King (C) Wake Forest University G 25 Mario Donaldson (G) Drake University G Monty Wilson (G) Tennessee State University F 6 Noli Locsin (T) De La Salle Position Name/s Head coach:  Rino Salazar / Allan Caidic Assistants: Cris Calilan (T) - Traded, (C) - Commissioners Cup Import, (G) - Governors Cup Import, (A) - Acquired via trade '

^{Team Manager: Casiano Cabalan, Jr.}

References